On September 28, Duane “Keefe D” Davis was apprehended and formally accused of murder of acclaimed American rapper Tupac Shakur by the Las Vegas Police.
Detectives, over almost three decades, had probed the mystery surrounding Tupac Shakur’s murder during a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip on September 7, 1996.
How He Became Suspect
Five years prior, in a documentary interview, Davis had disclosed his presence in a white Cadillac during an incident where a rear-seat assailant fired at Tupac’s BMW in Las Vegas.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been recognized by investigators as one of the four suspects identified in the early stages of the Tupac Shakur murder probe. His arrest can now put an end to the speculations surrounding the case.
He was affiliated with the notorious Los Angeles street gang, the South Side Compton Crips, Davis and others in the Cadillac clashed with Tupac, who had ties to the Bloods, a rival gang in LA.
In 2018, confronted with a cancer diagnosis, Davis audaciously divulged detailed information to BET about the drive-by shooting, admitting his presence in the front seat of the Cadillac.
One year later, in his 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend,” Davis portrayed himself as one of the few surviving witnesses to Tupac’s murder, narrating intricate details of the killing. He wrote:
“One of my guys from the back seat grabbed the Glock and started bustin’ back.”
“As the rounds continued flying, I ducked down so that I wouldn’t get hit.”
In his book, Davis asserted that his nephew, Orlando Anderson, a fellow member of the South Side Compton Crips, was the one who fatally shot Tupac. Anderson, who passed away in 1998, consistently denied any role in Shakur’s murder and was never formally charged.
Murder of Tupac Shakur
The case traces back to May 1996 when Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson reportedly attacked Travon “Tray” Lane, an associate of Death Row Records head Suge Knight, at a shoe store.
On 7 September 1996, following a boxing match between Mike Tyson and Bruce Seldon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Shakur and Knight encountered their adversary Anderson. Within the building, close to the elevators, and they assaulted him, which was captured in security camera.
Security intervened and broke up the fight, and the duo left the MGM en route to the post-fight party at Club 662.
Simultaneously, Davis became aware of the events unfolding inside the MGM and started formulating a scheme to acquire a firearm with the intention of seeking retribution against Suge Knight and Mr. Shakur for the earlier incident.
“Duane Davis was the shot caller for this group of individuals that committed this crime,” said Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson, “and he orchestrated the plan that was carried out.”
While en route, a white Cadillac approached the passenger side of Shakur’s car. The assailant lowered the rear seat window of the Cadillac and discharged a .40 S&W Glock 22, striking Shakur four times. One of the bullets penetrated Shakur’s right lung. He was transported to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada for medical intervention. Six days later, Shakur succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
One month after the incident, Anderson was apprehended in a “gang sweep.” Despite being identified as the individual in the surveillance footage during investigators’ interviews, no charges were filed, and he was not arrested. Authorities held the belief that the person captured in the footage was unlikely to be the one responsible for Shakur’s murder.
A Long Due “Victory”
In a statement released on Friday, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, the sister of the rapper, described the arrest as a victory.
“This is no doubt a pivotal moment. The silence of the past 27 years surrounding this case has spoken loudly in our community,” she said. “It’s important to me that the world, the country, the justice system, and our people acknowledge the gravity of the passing of this man, my brother, my mother’s son, my father’s son.”
Las Vegas police have consistently asserted that their investigation has been hindered by a lack of cooperation from witnesses. However, independent inquiries have uncovered substantially more information than what law enforcement has disclosed.
In July, Las Vegas police executed a search warrant at a residence in Henderson, Nevada, linked to Davis. The warrant details the collection of various items, including multiple computers, a cellphone, a hard drive, a magazine featuring Shakur, several .40-caliber bullets, containers with photographs, and a copy of Davis’ 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend.”
What’s Next
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson announced in a news conference on Friday that Davis will be brought to court in the coming days to assess his custody status and establish a trial date. Davis faces charges of one count of open murder with the use of a deadly weapon, and there is a gang enhancement, as stated by Wolfson.
Scheduled to appear in court next week, Davis now faces an additional sentencing enhancement for gang activity, voted on by a grand jury. If convicted, this enhancement could result in up to 20 additional years, as reported by the Associated Press.
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